Game apparatus and use

ABSTRACT

The apparatus includes a plurality of tokens, a plurality of game boards and a dispenser. The plurality of tokens and plurality of game boards define a plurality of game sets, each game set being associated with a respective one of a plurality of features, the plurality of features being equal in number to the plurality of game sets. Each game set includes: a set of tokens, each token of the set having the feature associated with the game set; and a game board defining, for each of the set of tokens, a receiver, the receiver defining a play space and adapted such that, when the token is operatively positioned on the playing space, the receiver releasably engages the token. The dispenser has a receptacle adapted to receive the plurality of tokens and adapted to present the tokens to facilitate the withdrawal of tokens one at a time from the receptacle.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/077,915, filed Sep. 14, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The invention relates to games for autistic children.

BACKGROUND

Autistic children suffer from a dearth of suitable games.

SUMMARY

Forming one aspect of the invention is apparatus comprising:

a plurality of tokens and a plurality of game boards, the plurality of tokens and plurality of game boards defining a plurality of game sets, each game set being associated with a respective one of a plurality of features, the plurality of features being equal in number to the plurality of game sets such that one of the game sets is provided for each of the features, each game set including:

a set of tokens, each token of the set having the feature associated with the game set; and

a game board defining, for each token of the set of tokens, a receiver, the receiver defining a playing position and adapted such that, when the token is operatively positioned at the playing position, the receiver releasably engages the token; and

a dispenser having a receptacle adapted to receive the plurality of tokens and adapted to present the tokens to facilitate the withdrawal of tokens one at a time from the receptacle.

According to another aspect of the invention, the features can be images.

According to another aspect of the invention, the receivers can be sockets.

According to another aspect of the invention, in each game set, the sockets, board and tokens can be such that a token can be drawn by finger across the board into one of the sockets.

According to another aspect of the invention, the tokens can be thin, flat pieces.

According to another aspect of the invention, in each game set, the sockets, board and tokens are shaped such that a token, when operatively positioned in the socket, is disposed at least substantially entirely within the socket.

According to another aspect of the invention, the sockets can receive the tokens in a clearance fit relation.

According to another aspect of the invention, each socket can include a notch adapted to permit finger removal of the token.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the structure of encircled area 2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the structure of encircled area 3 of FIG. 1 in use;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the structure of encircled area 3 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Apparatus

Apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and will be seen to comprise a plurality of tokens 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32, a plurality of game boards 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 and a dispenser 46.

The tokens 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and game boards 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 will be seen to be thin and flat and to define a plurality of game sets 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, each game set being associated with a respective one of a plurality of features 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70, specifically, images, the plurality of features being equal in number to the plurality of game sets, each game set including a set 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 of tokens and a game board 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44.

Each token of the set has the feature (image) associated with the game set.

The game board of the set also has the feature (image) associated with the game set and defines, for each of the set of tokens, a receiver 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, 30A and 32A, the receiver defining a playing position 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B and 32B.

As shown, playing positions 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, 30B and 32B will be seen to be shallow sockets, each also having the feature (image) of the set and the shape of the token. Each socket has an associated notch 84. In each game board, the receivers are disposed in a line, with one end of the line demarcated with the word “start” and the other end of the line demarcated with the word “finish”.

The dispenser 46 has a receptacle 86, a dispensing slot 88, a pair of finger holes 90 and a receiving slot 92.

The receptacle has, as best seen in FIG. 4, a base 94 that slopes downwardly from the dispensing slot and a back 96 that slopes to the base.

Construction

The game boards will be understood to be constructed out of two pieces 98A, 98B of cardboard, laminated to one another. The upper layer 98A is die-cut to produce the sockets and notches and has the associated feature printed thereon. The lower layer 98B has a plurality of the associated features printed thereon each positioned so as to be visible through the sockets.

The tokens will be understood to be produced by the aforementioned die-cutting process of the upper layer of the board.

The dispenser 46 will be understood to be constructed out of three pieces of die-cut cardboard 100, 102 and 104, as shown in FIG. 5. Dotted lines in FIG. 5 show fold lines.

Piece 100 has the dispensing slot 88 and finger holes 90 defined therein and will be understood to be folded upon and secured to itself form a box. Tab 106 will be understood to be glued to panel 180, and tabs 110 will be understood to be inserted into slots 112. Persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate the manner in which piece 100 can be so folded and as such further detail is neither provided nor required.

Piece 102 will be understood to be folded and inserted into the box to form the base. Persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate the manner in which piece 102 can be so folded and inserted as such further detail is neither provided nor required.

Piece 104 will be understood to be folded and inserted into the box to form the back. Tab 114 will be understood to be fitted into slot 116. Persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate the manner in which piece 104 can be so folded and inserted as such further detail is neither provided nor required.

Use

The apparatus can be used by 2-6 players for game play.

Set Up

For the purposes of set up:

-   -   each player chooses their own image by selecting one of the game         boards and positioning the game board with the sockets         presenting upwardly, the word “start” disposed proximal to the         player and the word “finish” disposed distal to the player,     -   the tokens bearing the images not selected are stored,     -   the remaining tokens (those bearing the images selected by the         players) are shuffled or otherwise randomized and placed into         the receptacle,     -   a player sequence is selected by any conventional method.

Play

Play commences with the first player in the sequence.

That player draws a token from the dispenser, by gripping a token using one of the finger holes and drawing the token through the dispensing slot. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the shape, position and orientation of the dispensing slots, finger holes, base and back, facilitate the withdrawal of tokens one at a time from the dispensing slot.

If the token drawn by the player:

-   -   bears the image selected by the player, the token is placed into         the open socket nearest the player;     -   does not bear the image selected by the player, the token is         placed into the receptacle via the receiving slot.

Regarding the former, it will be appreciated that:

-   -   the flat shape of the tokens and boards allows for the token to         be drawn by a finger across the board towards a socket;     -   the openings of the sockets are slightly larger than the tokens,         such that the token is received by the socket in a clearance fit         relation when the token reaches the playing position space; and     -   the depth of the sockets are such that a token, when operatively         positioned in the socket, is disposed at least substantially         entirely within the socket.

Play then passes to the next player in the sequence and continues until one of the players places a token in the socket of the board furthest the player: that player is the winner.

Thereafter, the tokens can be drawn by a finger from the sockets using the notches.

Advantages

The ease by which tokens can be positioned in play positions renders the game easy to use by persons with limited mobility, as can be commonplace amongst the autistic.

The releasable engagement by the sockets of the tokens also renders the game suitable for use by persons with limited mobility, as can be commonplace amongst the autistic, since if the game board is brushed or nudged by a player, the tokens are unlikely to move.

Variations

Whereas a specific embodiment is herein shown and described, it will be apparent that variations are possible, including but not limited to:

-   -   the number of game boards provided can vary from six;     -   the feature could be a color, for example, applied to the token         and the playing position     -   the feature could be a shape, for example, of the tile and the         socket;     -   the number of receivers provided on each game board could vary         from four;     -   the apparatus need not be construed from cardboard; and     -   the dispenser need not be formed out of folded cardboard         components.

Accordingly, the invention should be understood to be limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed. 

1. Apparatus comprising: a plurality of tokens and a plurality of game boards, the plurality of tokens and plurality of game boards defining a plurality of game sets, each game set being associated with a respective one of a plurality of features, the plurality of features being equal in number to the plurality of game sets, each game set including: a set of tokens, each token of the set having the feature associated with the game set; and a game board defining, for each of the set of tokens, a receiver, the receiver defining a play space and adapted such that, when the token is operatively positioned on the playing space, the receiver releasably engages the token; a dispenser having a receptacle adapted to receive the plurality of tokens and adapted to present the tokens to facilitate the withdrawal of tokens one at a time from the receptacle.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the features are images.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the play spaces are sockets.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in each game set, the sockets, board and tokens are shaped such that a token can be drawn by finger across the board into one of the sockets.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tokens are thin, flat pieces.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in each game set, the sockets, board and tokens are shaped such that a token, when operatively positioned in the socket, is disposed at least substantially entirely within the socket.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sockets receive the tokens in a clearance fit relation.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each socket includes a notch adapted to permit finger removal of the token. 